Fernando Alonso makes a surprising prediction ahead of 2023

Behind the wheel and in the thick of races, Fernando Alonso has quite literally been there and seen it all in Formula One, experiencing the full gamut of emotions during his remarkable career in the sport. Now he is looking forward to a new challenge with renewed vigour, keen to prove he remains capable of podium finishes, providing the car he drives will match his own expectations.

Formula One continues to remain hugely popular around the globe, as countries and cities vie for the opportunity to host races. The 2023 season will feature more races than ever before, with 24 scheduled, making for increased opportunities to wager on driver and team performance. This could also lead to extended market coverage at the best betting sites UK fans can find, based upon the latest reviews by industry experts at SBO, highlighting the most competitive odds and promotions.

And what would any F1 season be without the participation of Alonso, who now feels he could be in with a genuine shot at challenging for the drivers’ championship once again. Indeed, since agreeing to join Aston Martin, the Spaniard is already enthusiastic about the possibilities with his new team from next season, confident of a dream partnership.

One of the most storied competitors in F1

2005 and 2006 remain the golden years for Alonso, when he won back-to-back championships in the Mild Seven Renault F1. After a brief spell at McLaren filled with angst in 2007, he returned once again to Renault for the 2008 and 2009 seasons, albeit without the team or himself recapturing their former glories. Then came a marvellous opportunity he simply couldn’t resist.

Alonso had agreed terms with Ferrari president Luca Cordero di Montezemelo, which might have seen him join the team in 2009, although team principal Jean Todt had opted to extend the contracts of Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa. Another agreement was reached with Alonso for 2011, although this was brought forward to 2010, when Renault found themselves under investigation and Raikkonen was released by Ferrari.

Nevertheless, the five years Alonso spent with Ferrari were decidedly mixed, second in the drivers’ championship on three occasions in 2010, 2012 and 2013, although fourth in 2011 and sixth in 2014. During the latter years at Ferrari, the relationship had quickly begun to sour, including a very public falling out with team principal Marco Mattiacci, meaning that by the end of the 2014 season, their parting of ways became inevitable.

The second stint for Alonso at McLaren saw continued struggles between 2015 and 2018, and after having questioned the competitiveness of cars at Ferrari, his frustrations would only increase at the team he joined. McLaren were blighted by reliability and performance issues, as Alonso also became increasingly disillusioned with the sport itself, suggesting that F1 had become too predictable. At the end of the 2018 season, he walked away entirely.

Return to F1 and rediscovery of the passion

While he still remained an ambassador for McLaren until 2019, Alonso turned his full attention to alternative motorsports, which had already been attracting his attention. He won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2018 with Toyota Gazoo Racing, repeating that feat again in 2019, along with testing himself in the IMSA SportsCar Championship. Other ambitions were achieved, competing briefly in the IndyCar Series, and featuring in the Dakar Rally.

Since returning to F1 in 2021, while the last couple of seasons with Alpine have largely been frustrating, Alonso still manages to thrill fans with his level of determination. The 41-year-old appears to have firmly rediscovered his passion for the sport, even if the car he drives has rarely matched his own level of ability, continually suffering a litany of reliability and performance issues.

But a new chapter begins in 2023 with a “more ambitious” Aston Martin team, where Alonso will be targeting the title. “Aston Martin is not here to finish fifth, sixth or fourth in the constructors’ championship,” he insisted. “They are here to win the world championship and that is what we will try to do in 2023 and 2024,” explained Alonso, entirely serious about the potential of his new team.

Alonso say he “appreciates the opportunity” that Alpine gave him, admitting that performances last season weren’t at his best, although content he has been “really close to 100%” this year. Should he continue to demonstrate similar form with Aston Martin in 2023, it could be a really exciting season for the team, and their vastly experienced new driver.